Great peanut butter balls recipe No bake is one of a kind! This is one of the easiest recipes ever because you don’t need to bake it. Peanut butter balls are classic dessert recipe and normally they are baked, but I have found that when you don’t need to bake them, it’s a lot easier to make them.
Peanut Butter Balls {NO BAKE}
Peanut Butter Balls are an easy treat made with sweetened peanut butter and covered in chocolate. Everyone LOVES this recipe!
Peanut Butter Balls are one of those recipes my mother-in-law makes that I cannot get enough of! Peanut butter is my happy place!
Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients You’ll Need for No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
- Peanut Butter – I like a creamy peanut butter for this recipe, but you could use crunchy if you want some extra texture!
- Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar.
- Butter – If you use salted butter, skip adding salt later in the recipe.
- Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla.
- Salt – If you use salted butter, you’ll want to skip this ingredient.
- Chocolate – Semi-sweet chocolate morsels work perfectly in this recipe.
- Shortening – Creates a smoother and more manageable consistency than melted chocolate alone. Adding shortening helps to make a more evenly coated peanut butter ball.
How Do You Make Peanut Butter Balls
⭐ First, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla and salt with a mixer until blended (try using an electric mixer on low). Add 2 cups powdered sugar, blend.
⭐ Next, use additional powdered sugar until mixture can be shaped into a ball and will stay on a toothpick. Shape into about 1-inch balls and refrigerate until firm.
⭐ Then, place chocolate chips and shortening in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 15 – 20 second increments, mixing in-between until chocolate is melted. (You can re-melt as needed when making balls).
⭐ Finally, insert toothpick into balls. Dip into chocolate, then remove excess. Place on a parchment-lined tray. Remove toothpick. Refrigerate until firm.
How Long Are Peanut Butter Balls Good For?
★ At Room Temperature
Our Peanut Butter Balls Recipe can be stored for several days at room temperature in a cool dry place. Make sure it is kept in a well-sealed container. Do not store unrefrigerated in a warm or hot climate.
★ In the Refrigerator
They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Again, you’ll want to make sure the balls are in a sealed container so they don’t take on the smell or flavor of other items in your fridge.
★ In the Freezer
My favorite way to store chocolate peanut butter balls is in the freezer! They will last for several months, so you can make a big batch ahead of time and just pull out what you need in the moment.
Should Peanut Butter Balls Be Refrigerated
For best ready-to-eat results, store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you have time for thawing, you can store in the freezer for several months.
You’ll also want to refrigerate your balls after forming them, and before dipping in chocolate.
Can Peanut Butter Balls Be Frozen
Yes, peanut butter balls can be frozen! Make sure to allow the chocolate coating to cool completely, then place the balls in a container in single layers, separated by sheets of parchment paper. Use a freezer-safe, sealed container and make sure to label with the date and contents.
This will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter at room temperature before enjoying. Do not thaw in the microwave.
How Do You Dip a Peanut Butter Ball
To dip the balls, first shape them into spheres – this is best done by rolling them into your hands. Then place them in the refrigerator for a few hours, or into the freezer for about 30 minutes to set. You want them to be firm so they won’t melt in the hot chocolate.
Next, spear a ball about halfway through with a toothpick, and then dip or swirl it in your melted chocolate. Place the chocolate covered peanut butter ball on a parchment lined baking sheet and remove the toothpick, and gently smooth chocolate over any holes or bubbles that may have been created.
How Do You Keep the Peanut Butter Balls from Melting?
Make sure the balls are chilled until firm before dipping in the hot melted chocolate. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
If you are doubling the recipe (or more), remove the balls from refrigeration in small batches so they stay cold and firm.
Tips on How to Make Easy Peanut Butter Balls
★ It is important that you have added enough powdered sugar so that you achieve a workable peanut butter dough, but not so much that it becomes crumbly. If your dough is too runny, add additional powdered sugar in small increments.
★ Make sure to chill your dough balls for a sufficient amount of time between forming them and dipping them to make sure they will keep their shape and stay on the toothpick while you are dipping.
★ When storing your peanut butter balls, use parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking to one another.
★ Prepare a double batch, because these go fast!
No-Bake Energy Bites
These energy bites are a healthy take on traditional no-bake cookies. So good, and good for you! I’m asked for this recipe every time I make them. They’re a hit with kids and adults and always go quick! I store them in the freezer because I think they taste best frozen, but it’s not necessary.
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No-Bake Energy Bites
This is a healthy take on the traditional no bake cookies. Oats, peanut butter, chocolate, and sweetener make the perfect combination for a little pick-me-up or a quick and easy breakfast! They are a hit with kids and adults, and always go fast! Store them in the freezer or keep them out in a cookie jar
Recipe Summary
Prep:
15 mins
Additional:
1 hr
Total:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
2 dozen bites
Ingredients
Decrease Serving
24Increase ServingAdjust
Original recipe yields 24 servingsIngredient Checklist
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup ground flax seed
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Instructions Checklist
- Step 1Stir oats, chocolate chips, flax seed, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract together in a bowl.
- Step 2Roll dough into 24 balls with your hands. Arrange balls on a baking sheet and freeze until set, about 1 hour.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe (Best Ever Buckeye Candy!)
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls – An easy recipe for the best classic buckeyes, a beloved candy featuring creamy and rich peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.
What’s better than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter in a sweet treat?
A no-bake candy that features plenty of both – PLUS a touch of our secret ingredient…
I became a big fan of “Buckeyes” years ago, thanks to my friend Cara. She introduced me to the creamy, rich and luscious balls of peanut butter dipped in chocolate as an easy candy her family made every year for the holidays. And ever since my first time trying No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls we’ve been making them in our family as an annual Christmas tradition, too!
The Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls A.K.A. Buckeyes
Although there are many similar versions of this No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls recipe, ours is extra special. We’ve added a touch of cinnamon for an even more festive and flavorful Buckeye candy!
Something about the spice of the cinnamon accentuates the richness of both the peanut butter and the chocolate, giving these Buckeye candies that little extra something for the holidays.
I highly recommend that you make at least two batches this season: one for gifting to family and friends, and one to keep for yourself!
What Ingredients You Need to Make Buckeyes
This 7-ingredient dessert is made mostly with pantry staples, which is just another reason it’s great to make anytime you’ve got a sweet craving.
Here is everything needed to make creamy, decadent chocolate covered Peanut Butter Balls:
- Creamy peanut butter – you don’t want to use “natural” peanut butter in this recipe, as it tends to have too much oil to properly form the Buckeyes, so go for a classic P.B.
- Butter – softened to room temperature
- Vanilla extract – for a sweet, deep flavor that’s delicious with the peanut butter and chocolate
- Salt – to balance the sweetness of the ingredients
- Ground cinnamon – optional, but a lovely touch for making peanut butter balls for the holidays
- Powdered sugar – creates just the right truffle-like consistency you want
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – to coat the Buckeyes
Buckeyes are traditionally dipped in semi-sweet chocolate, like we used for this Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls recipe. But feel free to swap with dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips.
How to Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls with Chocolate
Make this foolproof no-bake Buckeyes recipe for a family-friendly fun activity – it’s great for letting the kids help in the kitchen!
Follow these simple steps for making simply the best Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls at home:
First, in the bowl of a standing mixer or in a bowl using a hand mixer, add the peanut butter, ½ cup softened butter, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Beat on high until the mixture is very smooth.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl. Then turn the mixer on low, and slowly add in the powdered sugar just a bit at a time until the mixture is smooth but slightly firm. It should resemble a creamy, dough-like batter.
Next, set out a large baking sheet (or 2-3 small baking sheets) and line it with parchment or wax paper. With clean hands scoop tablespoons of peanut butter, roll into 1 inch balls, and place on the baking sheet. You want them to be as close to the same size as possible.
PRO TIP: Lightly coat your hands in powdered sugar before working, so the peanut butter balls don’t stick to you.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 1 hour, or until the peanut butter balls are frozen hard.
Once the balls are very cold and stiff, place the chocolate chips and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in one-minute bursts, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Now it’s time to dunk! This is when it’s handy to have a second or third parchment paper-lined baking sheet to work with.
Take several of the balls out of the freezer at a time, leaving the rest to stay cold and firm. Insert a toothpick into the top of each peanut butter ball and dunk it in chocolate. Be sure to leave an open rim around the top so the peanut butter ball is exposed to get that classic Buckeye candy look!
Give the chocolate-dipped Peanut Butter Ball a gentle tap on the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
Get the Complete (Printable) No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Place the Buckeyes back on a baking sheet and put in the freezer. (You can use the tip of your finger to tap the tip of the toothpick to help get the candy off of the toothpick.)
Repeat with all of the balls, rewarming the chocolate once or twice for a few seconds in the microwave if needed so that it stays melted for dipping.
Once all the Buckeye candy is coated in chocolate, you can either keep them in the freezer or leave them at room temperature to become soft. Either way, it’s a good idea to move them to an airtight container.
Buckeyes will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They can even be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months to enjoy anytime you need a sweet festive treat.